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Switch the Play Foundation - Fulfilling potential through and beyond sport

The Switch the Play Foundation is the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting all sportspeople to successfully transition into life outside of sport. This enables them to fulfil their potential through and beyond sport.

What makes Includability the home of inclusive employers?

Includability - Proud Supporters of Switch the Play Foundation

Leaving a life in sport can be really tough. Not all sportspeople win gold medals, international caps nor million-pound contracts and when their sporting careers come to an end most will need to start a second career. The evidence shows that for some, this transition can also lead to a loss of identity, a lack of purpose and financial and mental health struggles.

What is the Switch the Play Foundation?

Switch the Play was founded in 2014 by a unique mix of sportspeople, experienced practitioners, academics and business professionals all with one unifying common goal – a commitment to supporting athletes to successfully transition to life beyond sport. Initially formed as a social enterprise, Switch the Play Foundation gained charity status in 2020 allowing them to help more sportspeople than ever before. They are an independent charity with a strong track record of delivery and are trusted by athletes, clubs and sporting bodies alike.

They are inclusive, being the only organisation in the UK that will support any current or former athlete irrespective of contract status, funding level or sport. Switch the Play are unequivocally person-centred in their approach placing the needs of athletes at the heart of everything they do.

Switch the Play are governed by a Board of Trustees who are passionate about delivering a duty of care for athletes within and outside of sport. They have a staff team of 6 dedicated professionals who are experts in their field and bring a mix of skills and experience to the day to day running of the charity. They are supported by a team of Associates made up of athletes, coaches, managers and education professionals who help them to deliver vital services to athletes. Switch the Play are also grateful to be supported by a network of volunteers who all play a vital role in helping them to deliver their mission.

How Switch the Play help?

Switch the Play for all sportspeople

Whenever or however it happens, retirement from a life in sport can be difficult. They want to ensure that all sportspeople, irrespective of what they achieved in their sporting careers are supported in fulfilling their potential outside of sport. The fact that a sporting career could be over by the time someone hits their 30s makes retirement a worrying prospect for many and without preparation, life can be tough once those sporting days are over.

Why they are needed

There are a number of organisations including player associations who do a lot of good work. They support them as part of the solution in addressing the challenges faced by sportspeople in their transition. As a charity, they are here to bring awareness of transitions to sportspeople and educate them on how to be better prepared for when their sporting career ends.

Switch the Play Foundation - Fulfilling potential through and beyond sport
Switch the Play Foundation - Fulfilling potential through and beyond sport

Vision and Mission

The Switch the Play vision is of a world where every sportsperson fulfils their potential at every stage of their lives. It is their mission to empower sportspeople to be their best through and beyond sport by providing person-centred training, wellbeing and transition support.

Watch CEO Rob Young MBE at the Includability Sports Setting Launch Webinar

People

Switch the Play is an independent and trusted charity passionate about delivering a duty of care within and outside of sport. Switch the Play was founded by a unique mix of sportsmen and women, experienced practitioners, academics and business professionals. They understand what it feels like when a career ends, and they know what is needed to help you discover a new and rewarding path. They know that, while there are some excellent practices and approaches in the industry, there is still much to be done to support sportspeople, as is evidenced in the Duty of Care in Sport review.

Their healthy mix of athletes, coaches, managers, support staff and professionals from Higher and Further Education means everything they do is based on a wide range of perspectives which ensures they are delivering the right solution – this forms the 'prac-ademic' approach.

For more Information and to learn about the fantastic work that Switch the Play Foundation are doing visit switchtheplay.com

We are the home of inclusive employers

Why become part of the Includability Community?

Working towards becoming an employer who has a standard for being inclusive and diverse can be challenging without the right guidance and knowledge.

Do you want your businesses to be a known as a game changer, an organisation that is passionate and willing to help others?

At Includability our community can help take your business through the process of becoming an inclusive and committed employer with the benefit of access to a whole new range of talent.

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Our goal is to help your organisation grow through using the knowledge of our community to guide you on your journey to creating a more inclusive workforce. You will get access to exclusive resources and experts who can can help you build for the future and guide you now.

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The key to learning and education is communicating with the right experts to help guide you. Our membership offer free access to webinars and community get togethers where you can talk to a variety of members who are passionate about their fields and can offer you advice.

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To create an inclusive workforce takes a wide variety of expertise and knowledge which is why we encourage our members to work together. Our regular community networking sessions will provide you access to our directory of Ambassadors, members and advisors so you know that the people you are working with will not only give you the right advice but also share the same values as you.

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Relationships are more than just about completing a job or task which is why we use the word community. What we love most about Includability is that every person and business has the same values and is working towards the same goal, to create a society that is free from discrimination, that cares for our planet and has genuine focus on our colleagues, friends and employees Mental Health and Wellbeing.

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Whether your business is an international brand or a small local company Includability can help benefit you and your team. Our membership offers exclusive unlimited access to our job board, special discounts, community webinars and great support for your business as you grow. Find out why organisations choose Includability to help them offer a more inclusive workplace

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